Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson says that the new board came in on the 23 of October, and their priorities were the issues of financial stability and staff moral. He adds meetings with BEMAWU were not negotiations.

We were not negotiating at that point. You must remember that when we have a meeting with the unions, it was not a negotiation.

— Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson

Kganyago describes the meetings were more of a meet and greet to show the unions that the board is very serious about listening to them. He adds that the demands were put to the meeting, with the promise of a report back after the induction of the new board.

We understood the urgency of the matter. That is why first thing when the new board sat was to put that on the table, even though the meeting was meant to be a meet and greet.

— Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson

Kganyago says that they are aware of the problems the SABC are facing and that they are working to resolve this. He adds that people must remember that the public broadcaster is in a financial crisis that needs to be handled through negotiations.